Ken Hafdahl

Kenneth Marion Hafdahl, veteran of the Second World War and devoted father, went to be with the Lord and his beloved wife, Hazel "Muff" on February 26, 2012, after a brief illness.

Born to Knute and Marie Hafdahl on May 6, 1919, in Box Elder, MT, Ken was the fourth of seven children. His early childhood was spent in the Box Elder and Havre area with a brief move to Malta. He graduated from Havre High School in 1937.

Upon high school graduation, Ken moved to Seattle, Washington, taking a job as a laborer at the Bremerton Shipyards, where he learned his lifelong trade of sheet metal work. After the attack in 1941, Ken traveled to Pearl Harbor to repair damaged ships. He joined the Army in 1944. He was honorably discharged as Staff Sergeant in 1946 after completing a tour in the Philippines where his division was tasked with convincing the still fighting Japanese soldiers that the war was over. His best memories of the Army included aiding Philippine orphanages. Upon returning, he joined his father farming in the Havre area until he opened Hafdahl Sheet Metal and Roofing in 1948.

On October 1, 1950, Ken married Hazel E. Paul. Patrice was born to the family on July 4, 1951, and Barbara followed three years later on May 17, 1954. Family was supreme to Ken, and he took every opportunity to be involved in his children´s and grandchildren´s many pursuits. He was the PTA president at Sunnyside School, helped with the Havre Lions Swim Team, became the State Junior Olympics Chairman, traveled hundreds of miles to attend grandchildren´s extracurricular activities, and was present at all of his children´s and grandchildren´s graduation ceremonies and weddings.

In addition to family, Ken was committed to his community and had a passion for politics. He was on the Board of Trustees of the Havre Elks Club and served as a County Democrat Committeeman in Hill County. One of his proudest moments was meeting President Harry Truman during his tour on the Empire Builder and introducing him to local dignitaries.
In 1970, Hafdahl Sheet Metal was merged with the Modern Refrigeration Company, where Ken managed the Sheet Metal Division. He fully retired from sheet metal work in 1982, but remained active as a trainer and mentor to young people with the Job Corps in Glasgow, MT. In 2007, Ken moved to Miles City, MT to be closer to Patrice and her family. He loved living at the Eagles Manor, his morning walks, and was an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents Knute and Marie, his beloved wife, Muff, and his siblings, Ray, Bud, Helen, Marguerite, and Bill. He is survived by his sister Donna Stockdill; his daughters Patrice Kountz (Harvey) and Barbara Haselwander (Ken); grandchildren Johnna O´Neill (Joe), Jared Kountz (Melissa), Nicholas Haselwander (Jessie), Jocelyn Kountz (Mike), and Kevin Haselwander (Katie); his great-grandchildren Kambrie, Allie, Clayton, Kloe, Colter, and Thomas; and special friend Rosemary Ebert.

A vigil service will be held on Thursday, March 1, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, March 3, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church in Havre. Rite of Committal will follow in the Hill County Cemetery with full military honors. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of the arrangements.